Monday, November 30, 2009

Psalm 22:19 "But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me."In life, have you ever wondered, "Is God near?" Well, God does not shrink from the troubles and problems that you have. Psalm 22:19-24 reminds us that God does not hide His face from our problems, and He does not hide Himself from us.

WhoGod is determines where God is. God is our Shield and Strength, but why in the world would you need a shield, a rock, or a high tower if there were no problems in life? God is near precisely when we have problems. I wouldn't need a high tower or a shield if I didn't have enemies!

So God does not flee trouble. But is there ever a time when God is absent? Absolutely! Do you know what Psalm 22 is? It is a Messianic Psalm. Some of the most famous lines in all the Psalms are heart-wrenching, prophetic words of Jesus Christ. He cried out the words of verse 1 on the cross: "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"Was God there at the cross, or did He forsake Jesus Christ? Did God turn His back on His only begotten Son? Our first inclination is to say no (God did not leave His soul in hell), but it is true that when Christ took your sins upon Himself, a holy God turned His back on His only begotten Son.What does all this tell me? I can be living in prosperity but also in sin and God is nowhere near me. On the other hand, I can be living in holiness but also great trouble and God is near. If we are not careful, we can think that money, friends, and a lack of problems mean that God is near. At other times, we can think that the overwhelming problems we face mean that God is not near-but that is precisely when He is near!So where God is at is a result of who God is. God is holy and God is a shield. God is a shield when I am in trouble, but God is holy when I sin. God's proximity to me is not based upon the absence of problems; it is based on my openness and obedience to His truth. God doesn't flee trouble, and He doesn't tolerate sin. You cannot control the problems you have, but you can control your obedience to Him. Sometimes we think that God is far away when He is actually near; sometimes we think that God is near when He is light years away because of our sin. Is God near? Well, I suppose that is dependent on who God is and what I am doing today . . .

Sunday, November 29, 2009

"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat." (Luke 22:31)

Most of us do not warrant the personal attention of Satan as Peter did, for we do not constitute as great a threat to his kingdom as Peter did. Nevertheless the devil, "as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Whether he attacks us himself--as he did Peter, and David, and Job--or assigns this task to one or more of his demons, the fact is that Satan is real and his legions of evil spirits are real, and they will, indeed, seek to force every believer into Satan's sieve.

John calls Satan "the accuser of our brethren . . . which accused them before our God day and night" (Revelation 12:10). He uses every device to keep us from Christ, or to persuade us to sin against Him, or even to deny Him as Peter did. Jesus called Satan "a murderer from the beginning . . . a liar, and the father of it" (John 8:44). He seeks to sow discord among the brethren, to sow tares among the wheat, to sow false doctrine with the truth, to sow evil thoughts in the pure, to do all he can to hinder our work for God and our faith in Him. And, as Martin Luther sang: "On earth is not his equal."

Yes, but "we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 2:1-2). Furthermore, "he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25).

The Lord assured Peter that, even though Satan would sift him as wheat, "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not" (Luke 22:32). And when Jesus prays, God answers!

When we, like Peter, have been sifted through the sieve of Satan, and when we also know that our great advocate and intercessor has prayed for us and our faith has not failed, then we can, as the Lord exhorted Peter, "strengthen thy brethren" (Luke 22:32). HMM

Q: Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving in November?

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor . . . .Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the twenty-sixth day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these United States . . . that we then may all unite unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nationRead more of this historical speech and find out who said these words, making Thanksgiving an official holiday in the United States.

Christmas Sale

Use coupon code THEBIG20. Expires November 30, 2009. See site for details.

Everyone has faith in something--faith in some religion, faith in one's self, faith in fate, faith in evolution, faith in mankind. Even the atheist has faith in his own reason. But there is only one real faith that works for time and eternity. True faith is faith in the one true God--the God who made us, who will judge us, and who has paid the price to save us.

This faith is an understanding faith, for it is "through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God" (Hebrews 11:3). It is a saving faith, "for by grace are ye saved through faith" (Ephesians 2:8). Since "the just shall live by faith" (Galatians 3:11), it is therefore a living faith, and a growing faith, "because that your faith groweth exceedingly" (2 Thessalonians 1:3), and a working faith because "faith without works is dead" (James 2:20).

There is more. The true faith is a justifying faith (it makes us righteous in the sight of God) because "being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). It is a protecting faith because with "the shield of faith . . . ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" (Ephesians 6:16). It is a stable faith, "for by faith ye stand" (2 Corinthians 1:24). This faith is also a purifying faith, "purifying their hearts by faith" (Acts 15:9). Furthermore, asking faith receives answers to its prayers, "in faith, nothing wavering" (James 1:6), and a strong faith recoiling "not at the promise of God through unbelief; but . . . strong in faith, giving glory to God" (Romans 4:20).

Finally, the Christian faith is a triumphant faith. "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" (1 John 5:4). This faith--even our faith!--is an understanding, saving, living, growing, justifying, purifying, working, protecting, stable, asking, strong, triumphant faith! HMM

Friday, November 27, 2009

A self-important college student walking along the beach took it uponhimself to explain to a senior citizen resting on the beach why it wasimpossible for the older generation to understand his generation.

"You grew up in a different world," the student said, loud enough forothers to hear. "The young people of today grew up with television, jetplanes, space travel, man walking on the moon. We have nuclear energy,nuclear ships, cell phones, lightening fast computers, and so much more."

After a brief silence, the senior citizen responded, "You're right, son.We didn't have those things when we were young ... so we invented them.Now, what are you doing for the next generation?"

The applause was overwhelming.------------------------------------------------------

"I declare unto you the gospel...how that Christ died for our sins and that he was buried and that he rose again and that he was seen of above five hundred brethren." 1 Cor. 15:1-6 .

"I am set for the defense of the gospel" Phil 1:17.

Some pervert the gospel...let him be accursed..Gal. 1:7,9..

We must be sure we preach the full gospel to get people saved. Then get them to receive the Lord Jesus as their Savior ("as many as received Him" Jn 1:12) not "give Him your self" or "give Jesus your heart". There is a world of difference. Their eternity depends on it.

Call 1-877-872-2871 to order my tract "Your Ticket to Heaven". A lady was gloriously saved just reading the tract and praying to receive the Lord Jesus and told me all about it. Sumner Wemp [see link- upper left]

Thursday, November 26, 2009

"Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God." (2 Corinthians 9:11)

The themes of praise and thanksgiving are very prominent throughout Scripture. The word "praise" and its derivatives occur over 330 times, and "thanks," with its derivatives, over 150 times. When applied to our relation to God, "thanks" are given to Him for what He has done for us, and "praise" for who He is and what He has done for the whole creation. If frequency of occurrence were an indicator, we might conclude that thanksgiving is important and praise-giving is twice as important!

In any case, every Christian believer has a tremendous amount to be thankful for. As in our text, we have been "enriched in every thing to all bountifulness," and it is sad to hear so many complaints and laments coming from Christians who feel they deserve more and better than they have already received from God's good hand.

We are told that the Lord Jesus, instituting the Lord's supper, gave thanks, all the while knowing that the very elements He was blessing spoke of His body that would soon be broken and His blood that would soon be shed. No wonder, therefore, that the apostle Paul reminds us: "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Whether in bountifulness of material blessing or in the invaluable school of suffering and discipline, we can please God by a thankful heart and life. A key evidence that a Christian is truly "filled with the Spirit" is that he or she is habitually "giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:18, 20). May God's Spirit "cause through us thanksgiving to God!" HMM

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." (Revelation 22:12)

Although the Scriptures teach clearly that it is "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us" (Titus 3:5), they do teach that we are "created in Christ Jesus unto good works" (Ephesians 2:8-10).

Good works will never produce salvation, but they will produce heavenly rewards. "The fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide . . . he shall receive a reward" (1 Corinthians 3:13-14). Note that the criterion is not how much a man's work may accomplish, but what sort it is.

The greatest reward could well be the joy of hearing the Lord Jesus say to us at His judgment seat: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: . . . enter thou into the joy of thy lord" (Matthew 25:21).

But if we wonder just what the particular reward will be, perhaps our text may give us a clue. Remember that, in the ages to come, His servants shall serve Him (Revelation 22:3). There will be work to do! Not drudgery or sweaty labor, but glorious work, enjoying God's great creation and helping in the accomplishment of His holy purpose in creation. In an infinite universe, with endless time, we can never run out of useful, rewarding work to do, as we serve Him.

He says He will "give every man according as his work shall be." Perhaps this suggests that our work here, with the interests and abilities God has given us, will have some relation to our work there, using those same interests and abilities. In any case, we can be confident that our "labour is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58). HMM

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

"For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?" (John 5:46-47)

This sharp rebuke by Jesus to the Jewish leaders who were seeking an occasion to have Him executed came as the climax to a long message following His miracle at the pool of Bethesda. These Jews always made a great show of allegiance to the teachings of Moses in the Pentateuch, so Jesus pointed out that this was hypocritical, since Moses "wrote of me"--yet they refused to "believe my words."

There are many "Christian" intellectuals today who are, if anything, involved in even greater hypocrisy, professing to believe in Christ while rejecting the plain teachings of Genesis and the other books of Moses. The Lord Jesus, for example, taught that "from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female" (quoting Genesis 1:27) and also that, therefore, "shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh" (quoting Genesis 2:24). But these compromising Christians insist that He was quoting from two contradictory accounts of creation, and also that men and women were there not at the "beginning" of creation, but came along about 4.5 billion years after the creation of the earth and about 15 billion years a fter the beginning of the cosmos.

The Lord also taught that the Genesis Flood was global and cataclysmic (Luke 17:26-27), whereas the compromises argue that it was either local or tranquil or both. They also commonly seek to explain away the miracle of the Red Sea parting, the daily bread from heaven, and other mighty miracles recorded in the books of Moses. Rejecting Moses and his teaching to their shame, how can they really believe in Christ when they reject His words? HMM

Monday, November 23, 2009

"To me tolerance is one of the most evil concepts in history. I think toleranceis an insult to people. . . it degrades people. Never once in the Bible am Icalled to be tolerant. I'm called to be loving." — Josh McDowell

Tolerance teaches that everyone's beliefs are equally valid. Tolerance is a dangerous idea because it destroys our ability to stand up for biblical truth.Where would our society be if we had been tolerant of the holocaust or slavery?www.josh.org

You want to be careful. Don't get between God and a backslid Christian when God is disciplining them for correction. If you do- you get a shot of what God is going to give them. A lot ofttimes people are not tithing- they're backslid and they'll come to the church and say, "We want some money."Man if we know they're not right we say, "get right with God and then we'll help you.""Oh no. I ain't getting right with god. I ain't coming to church. I just want some help."When you do that- you get between God [and them] and God says, "I'm going to get him and then I am going to get you!" You have to be careful. - David Bouler, message on Jonah, 9-27-1992

Marriage is like buying a record. You buy it for the side you like. But that other side comes with it. - David Bouler, 5-23-1993

Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.Acts 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.Galatians 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

3. Guaranteed Delivery [v. 14] ajrrabwvn arrhabon, ar-hrab-ohn'; of Hebrew origin; a pledge, i.e. part of the purchase-money or property given in advance as security for the rest:--earnest.

2 Corinthians 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.2 Corinthians 5:5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

II. CHRIST- REDEEMER, PURCHASER, LORD OF GLORY

1. Redeemer [v. 14, 7]

Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

2. Purchaser [v. 14]

3. Lord of Glory [v. 14]

1 Corinthians 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

III. THE FATHER

1. Sender [v. 2, Jn. 316ff]

2. Sealer [v. 13]

John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Daniel 2:23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.1 Corinthians 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THERE ARE THREE GREAT FOES [Eph. 2:2-3]1. The External Foe - the World [Jm. 4:4, I Jn. 2:15-17, 5:19]

2. The Internal Foe - the Flesh [Gal. 5:16-19]

3. The Infernal Foe - the Devil [Mt. 13:39]

II. THERE ARE THREE GREAT WOES1. No Mortal Man can Defeat the World [Gal. 4:1-3, Eph. 2:2]

2. No Mortal Man can Defeat the Flesh [Rm. 7:18-24]

3. No Mortal Man can Defeat the Devil [Lk. 22:31, I Pet. 5:8]

III. THERE ARE THREE GREAT VICTORIES1. Jesus Christ Defeated the World [Jn. 16:33, I Jn. 5:4-5]

Q: How can I protect my children from evolutionary indoctrination?

After touring the Creation Museum in August with hundreds of atheists, a secular humanist made the following blog entry:

For me, the most frightening part was the children's section. It was at this moment that I learned the deepest lesson of my visit to the Museum: It is in the minds and hearts of our children that the battle will be fought.

Christians must understand the nature of the change that has occurred in our culture. No longer do the secularists just mock Christians from afar. They are now actively campaigning to indoctrinate children in an anti-God philosophy—to teach them to be secularists and atheists.One secular humanist professor said he was worried about the Creation Museum because "children may come away confused. And that means we'll have a harder job convincing them." This professor wants to take your children and indoctrinate them against God—and he is furious that the Creation Museum has made his teaching job harder!For more information on arming your children with the truth, and for links to free resources, please read Ken Ham's article The Children are the Key.

Network with Us!

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Don't Miss Out!

The next session of our online education courses begins soon and registration is open until November 23. Foundations in Creation Apologetics is a 12-week course designed to equip you to defend your faith in an evolution-dominated world that is increasingly hostile to Christianity. Each weekly lesson is designed so that you can work at your own pace, so it is ideal for both students and working people. The lessons focus on helping you understand the issues involved and how to use the information you learn to share your faith with others. As a student, you will be involved in reading articles, watching videos, discussing ideas with classmates and instructors, and applying what you have learned in the assessments.Want to learn more about how the Bible is confirmed by archaeology, science, and everything we see around us? Join us for a 6-week study in Creation Apologetics and the Bible. You will explore how we arrive at the age of the earth, the historical accuracy of the biblical record, the authority of Scripture, and more. Interact with other students from around the world and strengthen your faith as you dive deep into God's Word in this course.For more information about these learning opportunities, visit edu.answersingenesis.org.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Last time, we looked at the matter of a clean conscience. We learned that great confidence comes with a clean conscience. Psalm 17 also gives us help in practical ways to deal with our conscience.

There is a difference, however, between a clean conscience and a dead conscience. A man who feels fine with no remorse after robbing a bank does not have a clean conscience-he has a dead conscience.

Others have a hyperactive "conscience." What I mean is, some people live life in a fearful state of mind instead of allowing God to convince their heart and mind. There is a balance, but the bottom line is that God is the One who does the convincing.

First, notice that a clean conscience begins right now. A clean conscience at night begins in the morning; don't wait until five minutes after the lights go out. This morning is the beginning of this day. To have a clean conscience tonight means that I will have to do what is right today.

Second, notice that a clean conscience is developed by steps. Verse 5 says, "Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not." Notice that it is God's paths and my goings. You have a choice every day. Will you take your goings down the wrong path or down the right path? Often we think of the wrong path as evil, sinister, and wicked. But the wrong path is always in opposition to God's path. The question is, "Is this God's path?"

Every decision, every conversation, every word I have the chance to say-these are times to make right steps. Even the things I say are important when it comes to this matter of God's path. David said, "I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress." Consider the verse just two psalms later, Psalm 19:14-"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." Finally, notice that a clean conscience ultimately rests in God. Psalm 17:7 says, "Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them." Did you notice that verse 7 is almost entirely a name of God?! David had a lot of people that did not like him. But if God is for you, you don't have to worry about everyone else. The worst feeling in the world is not when people are against you; the worst feeling in the world is when people are against you and you know they are right. But you don't have to live that way. If you are right with God, there is a confidence in that. And confidence with a clean conscience begins right now-this morning.

The greatest confidence in the world is the confidence of a clean conscience. Whether or not you do great things today, you can do right things. And if you will, you can have the confidence that comes only from that.

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When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Psalm 8:3-4